Teaching strategies in gender and race centered classes often focus on how these groups impact and are impacted by the police, courts, and correctional agencies. These classes also attempt to debunk stereotypical images of these populations that are found in the media and other outlets of popular culture. The present study assesses the use of criminal justice textbooks as a tool for aiding student understanding of the stereotypes placed on women and minorities in the criminal justice system. Specially, this study undertook a content analysis of the pictures found in twelve popular criminal justice textbooks that are used in introductory criminal justice courses. The results suggest that stereotypes of criminal justice personnel and criminals are still present in the pictures in these books. The implications of these findings on teaching strategies will be discussed and suggested student assignments that focus on these stereotypical images will be provided.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished ManuscriptReview Method: Peer ReviewedAbstract: Teaching strategies in gender and race centered classes often focus on how these groups impact and are impacted by the police, courts, and correctional agencies. These classes also attempt to debunk stereotypical images of these populations that are found in the media and other outlets of popular culture. The present study assesses the use of criminal justice textbooks as a tool for aiding student understanding of the stereotypes placed on women and minorities in the criminal justice system. Specially, this study undertook a content analysis of the pictures found in twelve popular criminal justice textbooks that are used in introductory criminal justice courses. The results suggest that stereotypes of criminal justice personnel and criminals are still present in the pictures in these books. The implications of these findings on teaching strategies will be discussed and suggested student assignments that focus on these stereotypical images will be provided.